1/2 to 3/8 adapter

[bratwurst]

Is there any reason to have a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter for a ratchet to socket ?

 

[FlaGman]

I have a half inch cordless impact driver, I use a 3/8 adapter with it occasionally.

 

[bratwurst]

I have a half inch cordless impact driver, I use a 3/8 adapter with it occasionally.

I’m just worried the adapter will snap

 

[unslow1]

I use them on breaker bars a lot. Sometimes I also use them with a ratchet for better control. Smashing your hand isn't fun.

 

[Mick56]

It can be used as a short extension

 

[honcho]

I routinely use one on a torque wrench to be able to use with a thin wall 3/8" drive 19mm deep socket. Oh, and I've broken more than one.

 

[bratwurst]

Anyone know of Torque spec for the adapter to snap?

 

[RTM]

I used one a lot with my electric impact wrench, didn’t have many 1/2” sockets back then. Never broke it. Was young, stupid and cheap.

 

[goforbroke]

Anyone know of Torque spec for the adapter to snap?

I usually buy the impact rated ones, they last and I've never broken one.....yet.
Even the none impact rated ones I use, haven't broke but I'm not using them like an 800 lb gorilla either.

 

[Professional Tool User]

There might be some smaller sizes that are not available in 1/2. As for strength, IIRC I have an old USA made Husky adapter that says 2000 in lbs on it. I don't see breakage being a problem unless you hook it up to a long ratchet or long breaker bar.

 

[matt_i]

Somewhere I read about 3/8" ratchets having to handle 1800 in-lbs = 150 ft-lbs.

Those adapters don't seem to be able to take that, imo.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Sometimes you need a bit more oomph on a 3/8" tool. As for how strong? Depends on the tool quality and number of cycles.

-Ryan

 

[DFB]

When the only tool you have is a hammer...oops I meant a 1/2" ratchet


Yup shearing under an excessive loading is usually the major issue with reducers especially with the 1/2" to 3/8" and even the 3/4" to 1/2" sometimes.

Ha I remember one situation was trying to some remove bumper bolts on my pals truck and the only 18mm socket I had that would fit was a 3/8. Needless to say that adapter didn't make it far on my 1/2 impact wrench

 

[lardy1]

I believe drive adapters are the weak link. I try to avoid them. My 1/2' drive sockets range from 3/8" to 1 1/4" so about the only time I use one is on my 1/2" drive Bosch cordless impact if I'm using 3/8" drive impact sockets. But I try to avoid that. In fact, I'm sorry
I even bought the 3/8" drive impact sockets. Live and learn.

My 3/8" drive sockets go through 1" and my 1/4" drive go through 5/8" so I'm pretty well set without using them. I'd be more concerned about using too small of a drive size than anything else.

 

[Verg]

A 1/2 to 3/8 adaptation adds a nice bit of flexibility how you can use 1/2 drive power with smaller 3/8 sockets. I would use that adaptor mainly with an impact and 3/8 impact sockets. The set up allows better accesses in restricted spaces, making the combo great for tight spots(like trans bolts). One of my favorite extensions is a 31” locking impact 1/2 to 3/8, just an amazing time saver. A lot of the usefulness depends on what your working on.


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[MJO]

I’m just worried the adapter will snap

I've broken a few.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

Several years ago I messed up a lug nut while changing the tires on my wife's Dodge Caravan. I was using a 1/2" breaker bar and the appropriate socket. I didn't know that the lug nuts had a pressed sheetmetal cover. I goobered up one of the lug nut covers while putting it back on. I didn't have a 1/2" drive socket that fit the goobered up lug.

I eventually beat a 3/8" drive socket onto it and used a 3/8" breaker bar with a cheater pipe to get it off. Next time I was at HD I bought a 1/2" to 3/8" impact rated reducer. I've used it once or twice and it's there in the tool box just in case.

Cheers

Jim

 

[joe_padavano]

My spark plug sockets are 3/8 drive. My torque wrench is 1/2 drive. I use that adapter all the time. Yes, I torque my spark plugs, especially in aluminum heads.

 

[brainypencil]

I needed an adapter that matches the socket for my blower, will go to handyman store next month

 

[u2slow]

I believe drive adapters are the weak link. I try to avoid them. ....
I even bought the 3/8" drive impact sockets. Live and learn.

Its not about the strength. Its about noodling a combination of stuff together to get an awkward nut/bolt in a tight space... using hand tools.

That's how they get used in my toolbox anyway.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Snap-On has a nice one with a replaceable square drive.

 

[bratwurst]

Snap-On has a nice one with a replaceable square drive.

You got a part number or link

 

[skulldrinker]

I can only speak for myself. I use those odd adapters when I got **** all over the place and I can not for the life of me find the right size drive and I have to use whatever I can get my hands on.

 

[DFB]

I can only speak for myself. I use those odd adapters when I got **** all over the place and I can not for the life of me find the right size drive and I have to use whatever I can get my hands on.

Yup just like you I have all kinds of adapters for up down and all around placed on different ratchets and small cordless impacts and like you I grab what is handiest many times. Especially if I want 6 point. And I use mostly impact grade stuff now too

And can get a whole set of various size adapters for pretty cheap these days.

I'v broken a few chrome ones and to be honest some were just junk import stuff so no surprises there right from the start

but an 1/2" to 3/8" SK reducer was one that did surprise me the most.

 

[p00p]

sheared a HF impact reducer using iirc a 15mm 1/2" drive socket on a standard length ratchet.

I try to limit them to no more than 100lbs of force.

 

[ex-x-fire]

You got a part number or link

No, but I looked it up for you.
Snap On GSA F1F
Williams has one too 4-2A

 

[johninct]

Sometimes you need to rig up some odd configuration to get the job done with what you have available.

 

[SGKent]

I just used one on an air gun and took it up to probably 60 ft lbs. Look at where 3/8" torque wrenches go to usually around 100 ft lbs. Personally I have sheared off a 1" breaker bar on an axle nut but have never broken a 3/8" on smaller things. I have three or four of them cause they end up in different places on different projects sometimes , or different ratchets.

 

[tulenutn2o]

I’ve broken my share, but I use them still to this day. I never throw tools out.Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

 

[CR888]

I try to buy good adapters, most of mine a Japan or German. Just use them sensibly & they should be fine.

 

[MJO]

Ran across this one on a shelf in the garage, not sure why I didn't toss it other than to aggravate myself each time I see it.

I do have an impact extension, about 4", that is 1/2" female be 3/8" male.

 

[DFB]

Ran across this one on a shelf in the garage, not sure why I didn't toss it other than to aggravate myself each time I see it.

I do have an impact extension, about 4", that is 1/2" female be 3/8" male.

Haha love it...I do the same thing on my tool box shelf

 

[RTM]

I used to have the Shelf of Horrors at the door to my office, melted relays, filters filled with metal shavings, melted plastic parts, that would fit right in. People would come to see me, pick one up, and after a few minutes, forget why they came to see me, a second benefit.

 

[ex-x-fire]

I remember SK having warnings of these adapters were not guaranteed at all.

 

[DFB]

I remember SK having warnings of these adapters were not guaranteed at all.

Ya seem to remember that was the deal too now that you mention it. That was loong time ago I snapped off that one. Close to 10 years I bet!

 

[mc4life27]

Is there any reason to have a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter for a ratchet to socket ?

I have a snap on impact on that I have had for over 15 years and have yet to break it. I bought it to do use 10mm/12mm/14mm sockets with a 1/2 air impact back when I was working on Honda’s at my dads shop. I was just building my tool collection and if I remember correctly it was one of my first purchases on credit with the truck back when I was 9 or 10. I used it **** out of it for a few years and still to this day use it mainly as a just in case in the tool box now that I’m doing construction and need to use my impact mid torque with 3/8 socket on long 10” or longer framing lags and still holding up.


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[MJO]

I remember SK having warnings of these adapters were not guaranteed at all.

Same thing with Snap On, the pic I posted is a Snap On and it says "NOT GUAR" on it (if you enlarge the picture you can see it).

 

[Steiger9]

Its not about the strength. Its about noodling a combination of stuff together to get an awkward nut/bolt in a tight space... using hand tools.

That's how they get used in my toolbox anyway.

Exactly. After all there's no set handle length for ratchets. You can buy 3/8 ratchets longer than the average 1/2 ratchet. The same 3/8 ratchet will tighten 1/4" bolts to 1/2" bolts. In the end it comes down to common sense and torque experience.

 

[whateg01]

I believe drive adapters are the weak link. I try to avoid them. My 1/2' drive sockets range from 3/8" to 1 1/4" so about the only time I use one is on my 1/2" drive Bosch cordless impact if I'm using 3/8" drive impact sockets. But I try to avoid that. In fact, I'm sorry
I even bought the 3/8" drive impact sockets. Live and learn.

My 3/8" drive sockets go through 1" and my 1/4" drive go through 5/8" so I'm pretty well set without using them. I'd be more concerned about using too small of a drive size than anything else.

The 3/8" drive sockets have a smaller diameter because they don't have to fit over the 1/2" anvil, so I use them quite a bit in tight spaces. Some of my impact sockets are about as thin as normal sockets even. No, they probably aren't really good as impact sockets. But I haven't broken one yet.

Dave

 

[BrandoJames]

I believe drive adapters are the weak link. I try to avoid them.

Agreed. I avoid using any kind of adapter unless it's absolutely necessary. I'd even prefer a cheap tool in the correct size versus an adapter with better quality tools.